Paradise: A Michael Quinn Short Story

Michael Quinn

by Kevin Scott Olson

The world exploded around him.

On a rainy night, traveling along a desolate patch of the California coast, Michael Quinn pulls his motorcycle off the highway and checks into a roadside inn.

An unforgettable evening awaits him... if he lives through it.

Past collides with present... temptation and tensions simmer... until they erupt.

Paradise is a tightly paced thriller loaded with intrigue and action. Buy it today to start reading international bestselling author Kevin Scott Olson's series of Michael Quinn stories.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Short Stories, Thriller

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2018

About the author

Kevin Scott Olson lives in southern California, where his hobbies include travel, outdoor sports, and keeping up with the adventures of ex-Navy SEAL Michael Quinn.

His debut Michael Quinn novel, Night of the Bonfire, is an Amazon Best Seller, reaching #6 of the top 100 novels in its genre.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ignorance of the past can be dangerous. It can lead to indifference about the future."

Paradise: A Michael Quinn Short Story
by Kevin Scott Olson


How on earth can I review this without spoilers?

OK.....I just stumbled on this one. It appears to be part of a series?

Michael Quinn is our guy and when the story opens, he is riding his bike on a rain drenched highway when a truck almost hits him. Thankfully it doesn't and he rides on only to discover an oasis of sorts.

Paradise, the sign reads. Quinn decides to stop and get a room and wait out the storm overnight. A good idea....right?

Maybe not....because there is a chance Michael will not survive the night.

OK...That's it. I have to make this review a bit shorter than most of my reviews. There is simply no way to review this one otherwise!

I really enjoyed this story of suspense. I also have a deep liking for this character. He was pretty cool to read about.

The atmosphere.....rainy and water soaked, wind howling, is perfect for suspense readers because as the rain pounds down, the characters get deeper and deeper into something pretty scary. Actually something horrible.

This book is NOT about the super natural and is not gory. It's just suspenseful. And has some really high tension moments. And is very good.

Now I usually do not read series, (unless they're dystopian for some reason) but I may go on in this one. You see I sort of find Quinn a bit irresistable.

Highly recommended. Lots of fun!

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of Paradise: A Michael Quinn Story Story by Kevin Scott Olson from Goodreads for my honest review.

This is the first book I have ever read by Kevin Scott Olson, and wow, was I impressed. A very quick read, as it is a short story. Extremely fast-paced and full of action. This quick read will not disappoint.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a break from your book readings and still want to keep that sharp edge alive?
This short story is 35 pages and full of mystery and excitement. It will give you that break
that you needed. Perhaps a change of pace for you.
A well deserved 5 AND well written by Kevin Scott Olson.
Now back to reading INDIANAPOLIS a 450 small print true story that just came out.

THANKS, Kevin for sending this great little short story. ENJOYED IT.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

After Michael Quinn almost gets into an accident, he stops into a hotel, where he gets in a whole lot of trouble.

Pretty decent short story

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a book from the author in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed reading it. It has a good story to it. I have read other books by this other and enjoyed them too. I look forward to the next book by this author. I find this author is good at writing short story books. This short story book was so good I read it in one reading session.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was a short story, it was filled with action! I enjoyed it from beginning to end! My only problem is that I can't find more books in the series...online ordering it is!

[CarolG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good short story. Amazing how much a good writer can pack into 35 pages!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, OK I suppose, if you like the sort of thing. The man is a badass who kills all the bad guys. The woman is only there to be silly, sexy and protected; basically just a foil for the hero. Personally, I found the whole thing cliched beyond belief. There was very little creativity. The villains are greasy, dirty, ex-cons. The non-hero good people are clean and polite. The woman is cute and her body is described practically to the ounce (while I don't even know what the Quinn looks like). And the hero is heroic and noble. No one ventures from type. I'll pass on this series, thanks.

[Mike Siedschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entry in the Michael Quinn series. Mr Olson continues to give readers exciting vignettes in this ongoing series. I've read most of the available titles (one is out of print, drat!). Paradise is tight, well written and engrossing.



The problem? I want more (this one was only 35 pages, 35 great pages but I want more!). In the words of one of Michael Quinn's professional colleagues (a Mr. Bond played by Pierce Brosnan), "enough foreplay". Michael Quinn is a strong enough character to support a series of full length books. We have seen this in Night of the Bonfire. Please Mr. Olson, "May I have more"?



Length aside, a good read. Enjoy!

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, nicely written. Detailed enough so that you don't feel like you're missing anything. Only thing I wasn't really a fan of was the romance portion. I didn't think the story was long / detailed enough for that to move quite as fast as it did.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Quinn had a harrowing experience riding on a motorcycle in the rain. When he stopped to get out of the rain at an old motel there was more drama.
Fast paced.
I won this free book from goodreads First reads.

[William Bitner Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradise: A Michael Quinn Short Story
By Kevin Scott Olson

Genre - Fiction
Subgenre - Short Story/Suspense/Thriller
Pages - 47
Publication Information - Spartan Press, June 29, 2018
Format - Digital
Reviewed by William C. Bitner, Jr. (https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)
Rating - 📙📙📙📙📙

If you have a little over an hour set aside to sit and read, and you’re looking for a book filled with suspense and thrills, you will not got wrong with Paradise: A Michael Quinn Short Story by Kevin Scott Olson. This is my first read by this author and I found it quite exhilarating. Fast paced and packed with surprises, mystery and suspense. Michael Quinn is a very likable and mysterious fellow who finds himself in a bit of a conundrum whilst spending a rainy night at the Paradise Motel located on the remote part of the California coast. From start to finish Kevin Scott Olson holds the reader’s attention, and soon you will find yourself embroiled in an action packed adventure with more twists and turns then should be allowed in a 47 page read. Buckle up and get reading for a very exciting thrill ride. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

From the back cover: On a rainy night, traveling along a desolate patch of the California coast, Michael Quinn pulls his motorcycle off the highway and checks into a roadside inn. An unforgettable evening awaits him... if he lives through it. Past collides with present... temptations and tensions simmer... until they erupt.

About the Author: A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Kevin Scott Olson also attended Georgetown University, and holds professional degrees from The American College. In his business career, he has received numerous industry awards and published articles in leading financial journals.

Kevin lives in southern California, where his hobbies include travel, outdoor sports, and keeping up with the adventures of ex-Navy SEAL Michael Quinn.

Other Books by Kevin Scott Olson: Night of the Bonfire: A Michael Quinn Novel, Breakout: A Michael Quinn Short Story, Roseblood: A Michael Quinn Short Story, The Third Man: A Michael Quinn Short Story - Prologue to Night of the Bonfire, and The Goddess of the Deep: A Michael Quinn Short Story.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradise is a concise thrill ride well worth the reader’s time.

Michael Quinn is forced by a vicious storm to stay overnight in the Paradise Motor Court in rural central California. He meets an old friend and Trouble.

It is amazing how the author can fit so much plot into a single short story without sacrificing atmosphere, dialog or characterization. I cannot think of a single thing I would change.

Paradise is highly recommended for thriller lovers who want an hour of rip-roaring entertainment. 5 stars!

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to Mr. Olson's work. Yet, this short story did whelp my appetite to read more from Mr. Olson; particularly book one in the Michael Quinn series. Mr. Olson shows that it does not matter the "size" of the book that counts but the "quality" of the story.

From the beginning to the end, there was lots of action. There is the main character, Michael. There are some rough edges about Michael. Yet, he also shows that he has a soft side as well. He can be a lady's man but he has manners. Yet, if you mess with him; you better watch out. Again, for a short story, this story does pack a "big" punch. However, I did wish the story was a bit longer as it would have given me more time to connect to the characters better.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradise is an exciting short story that moves quickly from start to finish. Mr. Olson has a great character in Michael Quinn who doesn't slow down. Enjoyable and fast-paced. Look forward to the next Michael Quinn stories from the pen of Mr. Olson.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my first Michael Quinn story, certainly not my last! I love these short stories, and am looking forward to more! This story has it all; history, action, even a little romance. This is a great, albeit quick, read!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Michael Quinn story is a fantastic action-packed short for when you feel the need to rough up some really bad boys (in your head). The fight scenes are well-organised, well-written, and easy to visualize. The start of the book may seem simple, but the tension and anticipation sets you up for the contents of the rest of the book.

Quinn is solid, and someone you would want on your side in any dangerous situation. Kevin Scott Olson always manages to squeeze so much information into these pages, it's surprising that the book closes at all! Does Quinn get the girl? Buy the story and find out.

I was given an ecopy which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.

[Read Ng · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle ebook copy. I don't recall how I got this, but it was likely via a GoodReads giveaway.

It was a short and action packed story. It was more like the lead in to a much larger and longer story, something to set up the reader as to what Olson's writing style is like. I liked it, but there was little character development.

The opening near miss road incident was not very realistic for myself. And the older Holocaust survivor character would be much too old today, so this story was written a decade or more ago, or needs to have this one character updated with a different backstory.

It did not take very long to read. Have a GoodReads.

[R Huiszoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Scott Olson, ‘Paradise: a Michael Quinn short story’.

As a Hidden Gem ARC reader I received this book for free. And promised an honest review. Here it is.

English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.

Rating: 4,5 stars (of 5).

In general: Exciting short story with nice atmosphere description.

Main characters:
Michael Quinn.
Graduated at Oxford in Politics and International Relations. After his graduation
he served six years as a Navy SEAL.

Professor Dr. Benjamin Hartmann.
As a teenager he escaped from a Nazi concentration Camp. Later he became an
eminent historian, renowned holocaust scholar and winner of the Nobel Prize. As
a graduate student Michael met Dr Hartmann, then a visiting professor in Oxford.

Rebekah Adler.
She’s the granddaughter of an old friend of Dr Hartmann. They travel together to
Stanford. She to start a Ph D study mathematics and he to receive a prestigious
Stanford Award.

In a dark night Michael drives a motor bike along the Central Pacific Coast. The weather is bad: a raging storm and waves of rain. Michael barely escapes death when an oncoming truck slips and he can with difficulty dodge the jackknifed trailer.
A little further along the highway he sees the neon lights of an old motor court ‘The Paradise Lounge’. He has enough of the motorcycle drive in bad weather and takes a room at the inn for bikers.
It’s a quiet place owned by an old widow. Only a few people in the dining room. Four car mechanics, an older couple and a girl playing chess with an distinguished looking, white-haired gentleman. Michael recognises the gentleman as Dr Hartmann, he met years ago in Oxford and they get into a conversation, joined by Rebekah. When Dr Hartmann retires to his room, Rebekah and Michael play a game at the pool table. They like each other and when Rebekah is harassed by the four mechanics Michael hesitates not a moment to defend her. Then develops an exciting story with a lot of action scenes.
The author Kevin Scott Olson created a page turner. Fine descriptions of the atmosphere during the biker drive in the dark night and the old fashioned motor court. Credible characters as Dr Hartmann and the four mechanics. And in the end an original plot.
After reading the short story this reader had only one feeling of doubt: Is it logic that terrorists planning a great attack, improvise at the last moment and want to execute a person they accidentally meet?
But all in all: it was a pleasure to be introduced to this Michael Quinn character. Hopefully we can read more about him in the future.

R.Huiszoon.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
You have to know English isn’t my first language, so feel free to correct me if I make some mistakes while writing this review.


Kevin Scott Olson did it again.

I'm quite acquainted with his hero, Michael Quinn, and once again I wasn't disappointed by this new short story about him.
With the thrilling setting of a raging storm on a isolated motel along the Pacific Coast Highway, the tension builds between its 35 pages and nothing is amiss.
We got chararcters' story and background, we got action, we got conversations and thoughts, we got everything where it should be - like it's a full novel.
It's amazing how much this author can fit in a small amount of pages.

If you liked his previous stories, you'll like this without a doubt.

[Cezara Corbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the expansion of the Michael Quinn series, I feel like the author is also evolving. Paradise seems a bit more put together than the previous short stories and the characters are somewhat more complex. This time Quinn has to protect his former professor and his female companion from a group of terrorists, while also making sure they can't accomplish their destruction plan.
The story builds up the tension from the very beginning, there are no unnecessary passages and, as always, the setting is easy to visualize.
There were still a few moments where the story was too far-fetched (e.g. the fact that dr. Hartman just happened to have a pair of wire-cutters on him in a Nazi death camp), but overall the story was very enjoyable.
Thank you, Mr. Olson, for the signed copy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Quinn's adventures.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short story and gave me a good introduction to Michael Quinn. While we don't know a lot about him, we do know he is a ex-Navy SEAL which means he has some skills that I wouldn't want to come across in a dark alley.

What to say to not give away too much of the story since it is only 35 pages long. Michael meets up with a former professor at this dive hotel and takes Rebekah under his wing in a way - he is teaching her how to play pool. However, she is a math prodigy so she picks this up quite quickly. Unfortunately there are 4 locals that don't take to Michael and want him to leave but without Rebekah. For some reason this sets off his radar which sets off a chain of events that bring those Navy Seal skills into play.

The book is action packed and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way. I now want to check out some of the other books in this series.

[Lorene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Quinn stops at a motel on a remote stretch of PCH during a storm. While in the bar/restaurant, he runs into an old professor of his. The professor is a Holocaust survivor and is outspoken about atrocities in the world. The professor is also escorting the granddaughter of a friend to Stanford University, where is will also be receiving an award. Some of the patrons of the bar are up to no good and action/adventure ensues. I have read several Michael Quinn stories and have enjoyed them all. Paradise is a fast read because it is very short. Enough of Quinn's backstory is given that you understand what he is without going into a lot of detail (which for this story isn't needed). I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to have gotten a copy of the book from the Author in exchange for an honest review, which I am happy to provide.
Wow what an action filled short story, it had me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end and it gave me just enough of my favorite hero to tie me over until the next full length Michale Quinn Book. So now that I devoured the book I will read it again at slower pace in hopes to make it last longer. Very entertaining a must read for anybody who likes a great thriller/suspense read.

[Dwayne Wojtowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kevin Scott Olson write a short story, best believe when I say that it is filled with punches and jabs!

"Paradise," Olson's latest and short story, takes you for a thrill ride when Michael Quinn pulls his motorcycle off the highway on a dark rainy night, and checks into a roadside inn. I would love to tell you more, but I don't want to give away the ending. And if you have read any of Kevin's previous books, you would know about Michael Quinn and what happens when he gets involved with someone.

Excellent book; excellent short story. Very highly recommended.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading “PARADISE: A MICHAEL QUINN SHORT STORY” by KEVIN SCOTT OLSON. I won an autographed copy of this on Goodreads. This 35 page short story is action-packed and begs to be made into a movie or series. On a rainy night, traveling along a desolate patch of the California coast, Michael Quinn pulls his motorcycle off the highway and checks into a roadside inn. An unforgettable evening awaits him... if he lives through it. Past collides with present... temptation and tensions simmer... until they erupt. I loved it...just want more, more, more!!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Quinn is a bad-ass SEAL who stops at a local motel and gets more than a good night’s sleep. He comes up against four ex-cons who are also jihadists. They plan to behead a professor friend of Michael’s but their plan goes awry when Michael takes them out. Then there is a young sexpot who makes a play for Michael and I had hoped that he had more sense than to go for her but testosterone beat out intelligence!

I received the short story from Goodreads. I've read other Michael Quinn books so hope this short story will continue on into a book.

[Susan Krich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Michael Quinn short story by Kevin Scott Olson that I have read.
I started it at lunch and couldn't put it down until the last page.
It is just 35 pages but I am always amazed by how much action and suspense this author is able to put into those pages.
I hope there are more Michael Quinn short stories, perhaps even a collection.
I look forward to reading more works by this author.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a rain-soaked night while heading south on Pacific Coast Highway Michael Quinn's motorcycle is almost slammed into by a jackknifing semi.
He pulls into the Paradise Motel to spend the night, get dry, wait out the storm and relax.
While enjoying an ice-cold Negra Modelo in the Paradise Lounge Michael's night is about to become even more eventful....and not in a good way.

This is 35 pages of action-y goodness.
Michael Quinn really needs his own series.

Move over Jack Reacher and Peter Ash!

Thank you Mr. Olson for the signed copy.

[Deborah Gebhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received from the author. The clichéd dark and stormy night finds Michael Quinn stopping for the night at a "retro" inn, Paradise, where he runs into a professor from his past. He also runs into a group of men with more than mayhem on their minds. Michael, being Michael, has his suspicion aroused and managed to stop the trouble before it really gets started. This time he walks away from the girl, but the invitation is out there.